19th Annual Contessa Awards Honor Canada’s Best of the Best

Not only are Canadians exceptional at hockey and braving the winter chill, they’re also extremely talented and creative when it comes to the world of beauty.  Over 1,200 industry professionals from across Canada came together November 4, 2007 at the Metro Convention Center in downtown Toronto to honor the very best in hair, makeup, nails, salon interior design and community service categories at the 2008 Contessa Awards.

With a spotlight on the Seasons, this beauty extravaganza paid an alluring tribute to the constantly evolving nature of the beauty scene.  Hosted by comedian Trevor Boris, the evening was filled with avant garde styles, brazen talent and an ever-flowing runway of models wearing the work of acclaimed Canadian hairstylists. 

The competition proved to be fierce as 122 Canadian salon professionals vied to leave with the industry’s most coveted award, the Contessa.  Four independent panels of the industry expert judges were tasked with selecting the winners of 22 exclusive categories from hundreds of entries.  Organizers successfully tapped into talent from coast to coast as six genres were provincial/regional and 15 were national.

Since 1988, the Contessa Awards have promoted and honored Canada’s premier beauty industry talent, presenting an opportunity for beauty professionals to showcase their work and earn respect and recognition from their peers in Canada and around the world.  BTC is honored to present to you the winners of the 19th Annual Contessa Awards!

• Canadian Hairstylist of the Year
  Edwin Johnston, The Cutting Room
  Nanaimo, British Columbia
  
• Elite Master Hairstylist of the Year
  John Graham, Vault Salon & Spa
  Winnipeg, Manitoba
  
• Canadian Salon Team of the Year
  Pure Salon
  Montreal, Quebec
  
• Alberta Hairstylist of the Year
  Tony Ricci, Ricci Hair Company
  Edmonton, Alberta
  
• Atlantic Hairstylist of the Year
  Shelley Simms, Hair Factory
  St. John’s, Newfoundland
  
• Avant Garde Hairstylist of the Year
  Christian Chartier, d…Coiffure
  Trois-Riviéres, Quebec
  
• British Columbia Hairstylist of the Year
  Edwin Johnston, The Cutting Room
  Nanaimo, British Columbia
  
• Community Service Award
  Tangles Hair Salon
  Holland Landing, Ontario
  
• Makeover Colorist of the Year
  Rasa Jurenas, BesSpa
  Tillsonburg, Ontario
  
• Makeup Artist of the Year
  Vittorio Masecchia, Freelance Makeup Artist
  Toronto, Ontario
  
• Men’s Hairstylist of the Year
  Timothy Day Howard, Sound Salon Spa
  St. John’s, Newfoundland
  
• Multicultural Hairstylist of the Year
  Rudy Pignataro, Salon G&A Inc.
  Toronto, Ontario
  
• Nail Art Technician of the Year
  Jessica Ellison, Yorkville School of Makeup and Esthetics
  Toronto, Ontario
  
• Nail Enhancement Artist of the Year
  Kali Howden, At Your Fingertips
  Kelowna, British Columbia

Check out the Nail Art and Nail Enhancement Winning Images Here!

• Newcomer Hairstylist of the Year
  Jane Tecson, Vault Salon & Spa
  Winnipeg, Manitoba
  
• Ontario Hairstylist of the Year
  Eric Fernandes, Eden Salon
  London, Ontario
  
• Quebec Hairstylist of the Year
  Véronique Beaupré, Pure Salon
  Montreal, Quebec
  
• Salon Interior Design of the Year
  Spyce Spa & Hair Studio
  Barrie, Ontario

Check out the winning Salon Interior Design Images Here!

• Saskatchewan/Manitoba Hairstylist of the Year
  Marc Charbonneau, Vault Salon & Spa
  Winnipeg, Manitoba
  
• Session Hairstylist of the Year
  Melanie Belanger, Character Salon
  Ottawa, Ontario
  
• Student/Apprentice Hairstylist of the Year
  Aimee Cox, Moods Hair Salon
  Vancouver, British Columbia
  
• Texture Hairstylist of the Year
  Jane Tecson, Vault Salon & Spa
  Winnipeg, Manitoba